Socialite

You are a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment. Whatever your motivations, you have spent a great deal of your time in social situations and gatherings where status and appearances are everything, and rumors and favors are practically currency. Many socialites are social climbers and work hard to jockey for position amongst their peers, but some are merely part of the game by circumstance or necessity, participating in the dance (sometimes literally) simply to remain relevant enough to survive in a cutthroat society.

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion and your choice of either Insight or Performance

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: A set of personalized stationary, an ink pen, a set of fine clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.

Feature: Social Network

As a socialite, your stock and trade is largely made up of the network of other socialites who move in the same circles as you. Work with the GM to determine what your social network looks like, what sorts people make it up, and roughly how many individuals there might be within it, as well as generally where they might typically be found.

If you are able to successfully contact one of the contacts in your social network, you can ask them to share information or gossip, and if it is something they possess or have the means of acquiring (at the GM’s discretion), they are likely to provide it to you. Bear in mind, not all information comes free, however, and some parts of your social network may sometimes require payment (in kind or otherwise) in exchange for the information or favors you seek.

Fleshing Things Out

Some questions to consider when determining how this background applies to your character: From where do you hail? Is it the same place you engage in the socialite lifestyle?

If not, what brought you to this new place? What sort of company do you keep in your social network? Are you generally successful as a socialite? Or are you somewhat of a struggling participant in the game? What is your reputation like among other socialites?

You should also consider what caused you to take up the role of an adventurer. Did your experiences as a socialite give you reason or cause to enter into the arena of adventure? Or were you an adventurer first, and your exploits along the way steered you into the life of a socialite?

d8 Personality Trait
1 I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing anything but the finest clothes available.
2 I’m very particular about the music I like.
3 It’s important to have good manners even in dire situations.
4 I measure people’s worth solely in how useful they are to me.
5 I will at least entertain any serious offer to do business.
6 I enjoy dancing, regardless of my skill at it.
7 I am generous to my friends and ruthless to my foes.
8 I am gracious, even in defeat or disgrace.
d6 Ideal
1 Manipulation. Handled properly, anyone can be a tool to serve my purposes. (Evil)
2 Worthiness. I will earn my place in society, just like everyone else. (Lawful)
3 Support. It’s good to have friends who can support you, and it’s only right to support them, too. (Good)
4 Fluidity. Position and status are fleeting, as are alliances and rivalries. One must keep an open mind and be ready to adapt to change if they hope to succeed. (Chaotic)
5 Relativism. Everyone has their motivations, but I’m not sure any of them are necessarily better than any others. (Neutral)
6 Glory. Cover me in glory! I want my name to be known far and wide. (Any)
d6 Bond
1 This is in my blood. I come from a long line of socialites.
2 I suffered a great embarrassment at the hands of a rival, and I will have my revenge.
3 I cannot return home without facing the great shame which caused me to leave in the first place.
4 My family’s status is due to a dirty secret I will do anything to keep out of the public eye.
5 My parents are kind, generous people, and I owe my success to their stellar reputations.
6 I come from humble beginnings, but I want to end up on top when all is said and done.
d6 Flaw
1 I am extremely impatient.
2 I always make sure to get the last word, even if it results in an awkward situation.
3 I have a tendency to share secrets when trying to impress someone.
4 If there is a way to make sure someone else takes the blame for a problem, I’ll do my best to ensure that happens.
5 All of my stories are ridiculously exaggerated.
6 I am too proud to ask for help with anything.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Big Book of Backgrounds Copyright 2019, P.B. Publishing, Phil Beckwith, and Cody Faulk.

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